| Synonyms:
| Antinuclear antibodies |
| Specimen: | Blood; (1) SST (serum separator) or Red (no preservative) top vacutainer tube. |
| Volume: | Full primary tube |
| Minimum Volume: | 0.5 mL serum |
| Collection: | If tube other than an SST is used, transfer serum to a tightly capped plastic aliquot tube within 2 hours of collection for transport.
Refrigerate at 2-8°C for 3 days; freeze at -20°C for longer storage. |
| Rejection Criteria: | Gross hemolysis; lipemia; improper labeling. |
| Reference Range: | Negative |
| Methodology: | Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) |
| Test Use: | Detect antibodies to nuclear antigens present in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or other auto-immune diseases. |
| Additional Information: | Low titer positive results may occur in healthy people and hospitalized elderly patients. Drugs such as hydralazine and procainamide may also cause positive results. |
| Testing Includes: | ANA screen; pattern and titer if positive. |
| Testing Facility: | AnMed Laboratory |